INVESTIGATING PRENATAL PRACTICES FOR ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS AND BODY WEIGHT OF NEONATES IN THE SPECIAL GEOGRAPHIC AREA

Health

The study on investigating mothers’ prenatal practices on anthropometric measurements and body weight of neonates in SGA, BARMM was undertaken by the researcher to have a reliable glimpse of the nutritional status of newborn children using only their anthropometric measurements as indicators. Study 1 focused on the socio-demographic characteristics, prenatal practices of mothers and its relationship with anthropometric measurements of neonates. The results indicated a positive significant relationship between the frequencies of prenatal consultations of mothers on the anthropometric measurements of neonates. Head, chest, and mid upper arm circumference as well as foot length were also found to have significant relationship with body weight of the neonates. Study 2 dealt with the qualitative research on navigating the prenatal practices of mothers. Study 3 was all about some open-ended questions on the major issues and concerns affecting neonatal care in the study area (SGA, BARMM). The prenatal practices were correlated with body weight, head circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference. These were found to have very strong relationship with body weight. Based on the findings of this study, pregnant mothers undergo prenatal consultations accordingly with health workers. The more frequent the pregnant women had consultations with health workers; the better was for the neonates. When expectant mothers observe regular prenatal consultations, the more their neonates obtain healthier status as per result of anthropometric measurement.

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